Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1887-08-17

some popular air and went with buoyant
step, never dreaming OF danger and wholly
ignorant of the sacrifice just made for his
sake. Sc
But Lem was disappointed. Although he
had scored an imaginary victory, it did not
give him the satisfaction be had expected.
Going to his lonely cabin after seeing that
Sukey was safe at home, he tried to sleep,
but instead tossed feverishly on his bed.
Finally he arose, and partially dressing HIM
self went out into the forest, where lie walked
restlessly back and forth. -rH rr
1t was beautiful night, transcendently
sweet and pure and eleyating. Amid the
silence and solemn grandeur there was no
hnt Of trials, jealousies or heartaches.
Rather, they spoke of rest, peace, love, an
overruling power that doeth all things well.
Something akin to this idea penetrated
Lcm's mind He felt the soothing influence
Of the night, but he could not tell how Or
why he felt it. Probably no thought OF ex-
PLANTATION occurred to him. He only vaguely
knew that out under the glittering stars he
felt gradually stealing over him a mood he
had not felt in many weeks. The fierce pas
hate grew weaker, the tense nerves relaxed
and his revenge, which had seemed so sweet,
now appeared to him in shape mean and
hateful.
But LENS heart was sore, and as his anger
died out an overwhelming sense of his hurt
and his loss possessed him. Throwing himself
on the ground he wept like child, and his
giant frame shook with the intensity of his
woe and wretchedness. He now saw, also
with clearer vision than before, and he real.
lied that in wreaking vengeance OH his hated
rival, he had brought sorrow and cruel wrong
to the one he loved.
ooh, Lawdl What have done?" he cried
in his agony. ooh! my purity gal, Use hurried
ye bad N didn't meanter. Ye air a good
gal-too good fer a ignorant Teller like me
n Lem Ruffner II not stand in yer way
Oh. Lawd help mel"
The moon had gone down and the first
streak of morning was seen before Lem arose
and entered his cabin. He was calm now
and peace was written in the lines OF his face
while there was soft light in his eyes. Seat
ing himself at rude table he produced, after
much labor, the following epistle:
MAY the q, 1890
Miss SUKY SULLIVAN:
bene q thinkin hit over an I'm mean felei
ter swar We ez did. l jess low We needn't mir
hit. Mary yer northern chap an may God bless
ye. Yer tru fren, Lem.
The note was duly delivered by the negro
boy who 'chored" it for Lem, and satisfying
himself that the boy had performed the er
rand faithfully, Lem shouldered his gun ant
started for the dense forest bordering til,
river st. Johns. He was not seen again fo
many week, and his cabin in Bowlin settle
ment was deserted.
"Whar's Lem? jess don't know whar thu
Teller be-" Father Sullivan frequently said
and his wife would answer CURLY:
"Got er sulks. mebbe."
But Sue was always silent. and her hear
ached for the man who was fighting agains
his love for her.
One day in June Stanley stood on the plat
form of the little depot waiting for the fas
mail train. Sue was with him, and seeing
curious flower on the opposite side Of tn
track she sent her lover after it, He secure,
it, but in returning his foot caught in tn
rail- and he stumbled and fell full length OF
the track. At the same instant the fast mai
dashed into view around the curve, and cam
rushing on toward the fallen man like tn
mad plunge Of some horrible beast on it
prey. Death seemed inevitable. Womel
tainted and strong men turned away sick a
heart But Sue neither tainted nor tulne
away. In mute horror she stared at the ter
rible sight. and neither cry nor moan escape,
her ashen lips.
just as the iron monster seemed about +
crush and grind its victim into a shapeles
mass with almost human malignty, tai
figure sprang from the station platform to tn
track directly in front Of the engine, hi
brawny arms lifted Stanley and hurled hin
down the bank out of harms way, AM
the next instant the relentless Juggernau
crushed the stranger beneath its ponderou
wheels. A hoarse cry went up from the spec
tators, but no sound escaped the victim as Ii
was borne tenderly into the depot and whel
it was known that he could live but few mil,
utes, even the men made no attempt to hid
their tears
Sue entered the room when Stanley had re
joined her, and approaching the dying MAJ
she looked on his face and suddenly cried out
"Why, hits Lem! Hit air Lem Ruffner.
At sound of her voice the dying mans eye
slowly opened and be looked at Sue.
"Yes-hit-air Lem" he gasped; "but rs
in mighty POI shape. l air dyin', Sukey"-
,pasm Of pain cut short his speech, but afJe
/ moment he spoke again.
"Whar air him, Sukey!"
"He is here, Lem, all safe" she replied.
A glad look came into the mans glazin
eyes. After a moment he said, as if talkin
| to himself:
"Fer her sake-fer Sukey--I gin her-m,
life"
And Sue, moved by an impulse she coul
not and cared not to resist, bent down an,
kissed the parched lips of the man VINO ha
thus sacrificed himself for her sake.
Instantly his eyes opened again, he locke
at Sue and put out his hand feebly. Whe
she took it in hers his eyes closed again, hi
limbs relaxed, and a peaceful smile stole owe
his wan face.
And one by one the people went softly on
of the little depot until Sue was left alon
with her iving-and her dead.
A. TIFFANY NORTON